Food service equipment and systems

ABSTRACT

Food service equipment may include a hygienic shield system. The hygienic shield system may include a frame that is coupled to a serving surface of the food service equipment. At least one clear or transparent panel may be coupled to the frame. The food service equipment may include a media device or system that is integrated within or on the food service equipment. The media device may be configured to playback one of audio and video of a media file. The food service equipment may include a controller configured to select the one of audio and video of the media file for playback by the media device.

BACKGROUND

Food shields, sometimes referred to as sneeze guards, may be used in avariety of settings. For example, a panel may be suspended over abuffet, smorgasbord, salad bar, retail display, or other type of fooddisplay, to protect the food from falling debris or other contamination.One or more panels may also be placed between the displayed food andcustomers, such that the customers must reach under the food shield tohave access to the food, and the opportunities for contamination arelimited.

SUMMARY

This Summary does not in any way limit the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

In an embodiment, the invention provides food service equipment thatincludes a hygienic shield system having a frame that is configured tobe coupled to a serving surface, and at least one clear panel that iscoupled to the frame. The food service equipment may include at leastone media device that is configured to play at least one media file.This media file may include audio and/or video content. The food serviceequipment may also include at least one controller that is configured toselect the media file and to control its play using the media device.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an exemplary method forconveying information by a food service system. The method utilizes afood service system having a support that is configured to be coupled toa counter, at least one transparent sneeze guard panel operably coupledto the frame, at least one media device, and a computing device having amemory that stores at least one media file. The computer device isconfigured to select from its memory the media file to be played by themedia device. The method may further include the step of accessing bythe computing device the media file from the local memory to play audioand/or video using the media device.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides food service equipmenthaving a cabinet assembly that includes an internal compartment and acountertop. The food service equipment may include a sneeze guard havingat least one post that is configured to be coupled to the countertop,and at least one panel coupled to the at least one post. The foodservice equipment may include at least one media device that isconfigured to play audio and/or video based on the media file. The foodservice equipment may further include at least one media player toselect the media file to be played by the media device. The at least onemedia player may be mounted to the internal compartment andcommunicatively coupled to the at least one media device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of variousembodiments may be realized by reference to the following figures. Inthe appended figures, similar components or features may have the samereference label. Further, various components of the same type may bedistinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. When only thefirst reference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1 shows first example serving equipment in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 shows second example serving equipment in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 shows third example serving equipment in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 4 shows fourth example serving equipment in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 shows fifth example serving equipment in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 6 shows sixth example serving equipment in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 7 shows seventh example serving equipment in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 8 shows eighth example serving equipment in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 9 shows ninth example serving equipment in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 10 shows the serving equipment of FIG. 4 and FIG. 9 adjacentlyarranged.

FIG. 11 shows the serving equipment of FIG. 1 in further detail.

FIG. 12 shows an example networked environment in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 13 shows an example method in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows an example computing system in accordance with thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is generally directed to or towards conveyinginformation to customers or individuals in a food service environment,such as, for example, while the customers are observing food that isbeing displayed by particular food service equipment. To do so, one ormore media devices may be coupled to, incorporated within or on, orotherwise associated with the food service equipment. A controller, suchas a digital media player, may also be incorporated within, coupled to,or otherwise integrated with the food service equipment to control thedelivery of media content to the media devices. This may allow thecustomers to see or hear the media content while near the food serviceequipment.

The food service equipment may include serving equipment, such as a fooddisplay, beverage dispenser, heated food well, steam table, heatedmerchandiser, frost top, carving station, induction warmer, and manyothers. Additionally, the food service equipment may include any of anumber of different types of components, such as one or more foodshields or sneeze guards, and the like. By associating media deviceswith such food service equipment, a variety of information may beconveyed to individuals or customers as they observe, are served, orserve themselves items from the food service equipment.

As mentioned, a controller may be incorporated within or integrated withor on the food service equipment to control the delivery of the mediacontent to one or more media devices. In other embodiments, thecontroller may be remote from the food service equipment to control thedelivery of the media content to one or more media devices. In bothcases, however, the controller may be communicatively coupled to themedia devices to play the media content. Further, a variety of mediadevices may be used in order to convey information to customers. Suchmedia devices may include, for example, an interactive ornon-interactive display screen, a speaker, transparent projection screensystem and many others. In general, such media devices may beincorporated within or on or integrated with the food service equipment.Other embodiments are though possible. For example, the media devicesmay be loosely associated with the food service equipment. In bothcases, however, media content may be delivered by video, images, audio,and the like, while individuals or customers are within a generalvicinity of the food service equipment.

The media content that may be provided may include any type of videocontent, image content, and audio content as desired, so as to conveyparticular information to customers or individuals in a food serviceenvironment. Additionally, such media content may be selected accordingto type of food service environment. For example, in a corporatecafeteria environment, the media content that may be provided mayinclude video of recent news and events of a particular corporation,images that describe lunch specials and their prices, and audio of anauthority figure congratulating employees for recent contributionsduring a charity drive. As another example, in a self-serve restaurantenvironment, the media content that may be provided may include video ofvarious advertisements for products offered by other stores within avicinity of the restaurant, images of a matrix barcode so that acustomer may use their smartphone to quickly settle for selected items,and audio that conveys current operating hours of the restaurant. Inthis manner, the media content that may be provided may be in someinstances selected according to type of food service environment, mayinclude any type of one or more of video content, image content, andaudio content as desired. Still further examples of media content mayinclude, but is not limited to: advertising, food allergy information,nutrients, calories, promotions, coupons, emergency information, FDA(Food and Drug Administration) nutrition fact information, food allergeninformation, news, weather, and many other types or forms of mediacontent.

Although not so limited, an appreciation of the various aspects of thepresent disclosure may be gained from the following discussion inconnection with the drawings. In referring to the following specificembodiments, it will be appreciated that the components of the variousembodiments may, in some cases, be substituted for components in otherembodiments to provide a wide array of food serving equipment withassociated displays.

For example, FIG. 1 shows a first example serving equipment 100 inaccordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the firstequipment 100 is shown to include a first panel 102 and a second panel104 both rigidly coupled to a frame 106. One or both of the first panel102 and the second panel 104 may be formed from or of a clear ortransparent material such as glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, and otherclear or transparent materials. In general, the first panel 102 and thesecond panel 104 may each be referred to as a “sneeze guard,” or a “foodshield,” and the like. This is because the first panel 102 and thesecond panel 104 may protect food or other items within a number ofcontainers 108 a-e of a tray 110 from debris or other contamination thatmay be deposited as individuals visit the first equipment 100 to view orotherwise access items within the containers 108 a-e. Other embodimentsof the first panel 102 and the second panel 104 are possible. Forexample, it is contemplated that one or both of the first panel 102 andthe second panel 104 may be formed from or of an opaque or translucentmaterial. In this manner, the first panel 102 and the second panel 104may be formed from or of any material as desired, and further suchmaterial may be chosen based on intended application.

The frame 106 may include a first post 112 and a second post 114connected together by a beam 116. In general, a media module 118 may becoupled to the frame 106, and may be configured and arranged to conveyparticular information to customers or individuals in vicinity of thefirst equipment 100, discussed further below. In this example, the firstpost 112 and the second post 114 may be rigidly coupled to a surface 120of the first equipment 100, and the first post 112, the second post 114,and the beam 116 may be formed from or of a material of sufficientstrength so as to support the first panel 102, the second panel 104, andthe media module 118. For example, the frame 106 may formed of or from ametal, such as steel, aluminum, brass, or metal alloy, or may be formedof or from a synthetic nonmetallic material, such as a rigid plastic.Additionally, it is contemplated that respective components of the frame106 may generally be formed to exhibit any cross-section as desired. Forexample, one or both of the first post 112 and the second post 114 mayhave a circular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, anirregularly shaped cross-section, and etc. In this manner, variousfeatures of structural components of the first equipment 100 maygenerally be selectively chosen as desired.

As mentioned above, the media module 118 may be configured and arrangedto convey particular information to customers or individuals in vicinityof the first equipment 100.

For example, the media module 118 may include one or more displays 122a-e. In general, any particular one of the displays 122 a-e maycorrespond to an output device for presentation of information in visualform, such as images and video. It is contemplated that the underlyingtechnology of any particular one of the displays 122 a-e may be selectedas desired. For example, any particular one or all of the displays 122a-e may be a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display,such as a light-emitting diode display, a liquid crystal display, anelectroluminescent display, a volumetric display, a holographic display,and many others. Further, it is contemplated that selection of theunderlying technology of any particular one of the displays 122 a-e maychange as display technology evolves. In this manner, features of thefirst equipment 100 associated with conveying particular visualinformation may generally be selectively chosen as desired.

Additionally, or alternatively, one or more speakers may be incorporatedwithin the media module 118. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the mediamodule 118 may include or otherwise exhibit one or more of first audioapertures 124 and second audio apertures 126. In general, any particularone of the one or more speakers (not shown) of FIG. 1 may correspond toan output device that produces sound waves in the audible frequencyrange in response to an audio signal input. Although speakers are notexplicitly shown in FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that such sound wavesmay emanate from one or both of the first audio apertures 124 and thesecond audio apertures 126. Further, it is contemplated that selectionof the underlying technology of any particular one of the one or morespeakers may change as audio technology evolves. In this manner, variousfeatures of first equipment 100 associated with conveying particularaudio information may generally be selectively chosen as desired.

Such an implementation as discussed above in connection with the firstequipment 100 of FIG. 1 may be beneficial or advantageous in manyrespects. For example, the first equipment 100 may be selectivelymodified based upon particular food service environment. For example,certain features of the first equipment 100 in a first food serviceenvironment may be selected to minimize cost, whereas similar featuresof the first equipment 100 in a more upscale second food serviceenvironment may be selected to maximize aesthetics. For example, theframe 106 of the first equipment 100 may be formed of stainless steel inan upscale restaurant implementation, as opposed to rigid plastic in ahigh school cafeteria implementation. In another example, the mediamodule 118 of the first equipment 100 may exhibit one or moreactive-matrix liquid crystal displays in an upscale restaurantimplementation, as opposed to one or more passive-matrix liquid crystaldisplays in a high school cafeteria implementation. In still anotherexample, the media module 118 of the first equipment 100 may exhibit oneor more high-fidelity speakers in an upscale restaurant implementation,as opposed to a high school cafeteria implementation where speakers maybe omitted from the media module 118. Still other benefits or advantagesare possible.

The arrangement as shown in FIG. 1 is but one example of a wide varietyof food service equipment that may be constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure. For example, FIG. 2 shows secondexample serving equipment 200 in accordance with the present disclosure.The second equipment 200 may be similar to at least the first equipment100 of FIG. 1 in many aspects. For example, a frame 202 of the secondequipment 200 may include a first post 204 and a second post 206connected together by a beam 208. Additionally, the media module 210 maybe coupled to the frame 202, and may be configured and arranged toconvey particular information to customers or individuals in vicinity ofthe second equipment 200.

For example, the media module 210 may include one or more displays 212a-e, similar to displays 122 a-e of FIG. 1, so that the second equipment200 may be configured and arranged to convey particular visualinformation to individuals in vicinity of the second equipment 200.Additionally, or alternatively, one or more speakers may be incorporatedwithin the media module 210. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the mediamodule 210 may include or otherwise exhibit one or more of first audioapertures 214 and second audio apertures 216, so that the secondequipment 200 may be configured and arranged to convey particular audioinformation to individuals in vicinity of the second equipment 200.Further, the first post 204 and the second post 206 may both be rigidlycoupled to a surface 218 of the second equipment 200, and the first post204, the second post 206, and the beam 208 may be formed from or of amaterial of sufficient strength so as to support the media module 210.

The second equipment 200 may further include a first panel 220 and asecond panel 222. In FIG. 2 however, in comparison to FIG. 1 forexample, the first panel 220 is adjustably coupled to a support assembly224, while the second panel 222 is rigidly coupled to the supportassembly 224. In general, the support assembly 224 may be formed of afirst support 226 rigidly coupled to the surface 218 by first supportends 228 a-b, and a second support 230 rigidly to the surface 218 bysecond support ends 232 a-b. The second panel 222 may be rigidly coupledto the support assembly 224 so as to provide a surface to place items,for example, while the first panel 220 may be adjustably coupled to thesupport assembly 224 so as to provide for three-way or three-axisadjustment of the first panel 220. In general, independent three-axisadjustment of the first panel 220 may be enabled by an articulating arm234 that includes a first pivot 236 and a second pivot 238, where thearticulating arm 234 is coupled to a sleeve bushing 240 by the firstpivot 236. An example of such an assembly and its functionality isdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/848,843, filed 22 Mar.2013, and entitled ADJUSTABLE FOOD SHIELD, the entirety of which ishereby incorporated by reference for all intents and purposes.

Such an implementation as discussed above in connection with the secondequipment 200 of FIG. 2 may be beneficial or advantageous in manyrespects. For example, certain features of the second equipment 200 maybe selectively chosen based upon particular food service environment,similar to the first equipment 100 discussed above in connection withFIG. 1. Further, independent three-axis adjustment of the first panel220 as enabled by at least the articulating arm 234 and the sleevebushing 240 may allow for easy access to food and cleaning of the secondequipment 200, and also allow for easy compliance with any code orregulation. Still other benefits or advantages are possible.

Still other food service equipment may be constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure. For example, referring now toFIG. 3, a third example serving equipment 300 is shown. The thirdequipment 300 may be similar to at least the second equipment 200 ofFIG. 2 in many aspects. For example, a frame 302 of the third equipment300 may include a first post 304 and a second post 306 connectedtogether by a beam 308. The third equipment 300 may further include afirst panel 310 and a second panel 312, where the first panel 310 isadjustably coupled to a support assembly 314, while the second panel 312is rigidly coupled to the support assembly 314. The support assembly 314may be formed of a first support 316 rigidly coupled to a surface 318 byfirst support ends 320 a-b, and a second support 322 rigidly to thesurface 318 by second support ends 324 a-b. The second panel 312 may berigidly coupled to the support assembly 314, while the first panel 310may be adjustably coupled to the support assembly 314 so as to providefor three-way or three-axis adjustment of the first panel 310.Independent three-axis adjustment of the first panel 310 may be enabledby an articulating arm 326 that includes a first pivot 328 and a secondpivot 330, where the articulating arm 326 is coupled to a sleeve bushing332 by the first pivot 328.

The third equipment 300 may further include one or more aspects of amedia module similar to the media module 210 of FIG. 2. Some mediamodule aspects as depicted in FIG. 3 though are different than aspectsof the media module 210 of FIG. 2.

For example, one or more displays 334 a-e may be incorporated orintegrated on or within the first panel 310 of the third equipment 300.In general, any particular one of the displays 334 a-e may correspond toan output device for presentation of information in visual form, such asimages and video. It is contemplated that the underlying technology ofany particular one of the displays 334 a-e may be selected as desired.For example, any particular one or all of the displays 334 a-e may be atwo-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display, such as aphotovoltaic glass technology display, a light-emitting diode display, aliquid crystal display, a holographic display, and many others. Further,it is contemplated that selection of the underlying technology of anyparticular one of the displays 334 a-e may change as display technologyevolves. In this manner, various features of third equipment 300associated with conveying particular visual information may generally beselectively chosen as desired.

Additionally, or alternatively, one or more speakers may be incorporatedwithin the third equipment 300. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, thefirst post 304 and the second post 306 of the frame 302 may include orotherwise exhibit, respectively, first audio apertures 336 and secondaudio apertures 338. In general, any particular one of the one or morespeakers (not shown) of FIG. 3 may correspond to an output device thatproduces sound waves, in the audible frequency range, in response to anaudio signal input. Although speakers are not explicitly shown in FIG.3, it will be appreciated that such sound waves may emanate from one orboth of the first audio apertures 336 and the second audio apertures338. Further, it is contemplated that selection of the underlyingtechnology of any particular one of speakers may change as audiotechnology evolves. In this manner, various features of the thirdequipment 300 associated with conveying particular audio information maygenerally be selectively chosen as desired.

Such an implementation as discussed above in connection with the thirdequipment 300 of FIG. 3 may be beneficial or advantageous in manyrespects. For example, certain features of the third equipment 300 maybe selectively chosen based upon particular food service environment,similar to the first equipment 100 discussed above in connection withFIG. 1. Further, independent three-axis adjustment of the first panel310 enabled at least by the articulating arm 326 and the sleeve bushing332 may allow for easy access to food, cleaning of third equipment 300,and compliance with any code or regulation, similar to the secondequipment 200 discussed above in connection with FIG. 2. Still further,incorporation or integration of one or more of displays 334 a-e withinor on the first panel 310 of the third equipment 300 may moreeffectively direct attention to messages, such as advertisements, toindividuals or customers as they view or otherwise access items within anumber of containers 340 a-e incorporated within the surface 318. Stillother benefits or advantages are possible.

Still other food service equipment may be constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure. For example, referring now toFIG. 4, a fourth example serving equipment 400 is shown. The fourthequipment 400 may be similar to at least the second equipment 200 ofFIG. 2 in many aspects. For example, the fourth equipment 400 mayinclude a first panel 402 and a second panel 404, where the first panel402 is adjustably coupled to a support assembly 406, while the secondpanel 404 is rigidly coupled to the support assembly 406. In general,the support assembly 406 may be formed of a first support 408 rigidlycoupled to a surface 410 by first support ends 412 a-b, and a secondsupport 414 rigidly to the surface 410 by second support ends 416 a-b.The second panel 404 may be rigidly coupled to the support assembly 406,while the first panel 402 may be adjustably coupled to the supportassembly 406 so as to provide for three-way or three-axis adjustment ofthe first panel 402. Independent three-axis adjustment of the firstpanel 402 may be enabled by an articulating arm 418 that includes afirst pivot 420 and a second pivot 422, where the articulating arm 418is coupled to a sleeve bushing 424 by a first pivot 420.

The fourth equipment 400 may further include one or more aspects of amedia module similar to media module 210 of FIG. 2. Some media moduleaspects as depicted in FIG. 4 are though different than aspects of themedia module 210 of FIG. 2. This is because a frame of the fourthequipment 400 may include a first post 428 and a second post 430, wherea media module 432 is mounted to an end 434 of the first post 428 andalso to an end 438 of the second post 430. However, similar to mediamodule 210 of FIG. 2, the media module 432 may be configured andarranged to convey particular information to customers or individuals invicinity of the fourth equipment 400.

For example, the media module 432 may include one or more displays 440a-c, similar to the displays 212 a-e of FIG. 2, so that the fourthequipment 400 may be configured and arranged to convey particular visualinformation to individuals in vicinity of the fourth equipment 400.Additionally, or alternatively, one or more speakers may be incorporatedwithin the media module 432. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the mediamodule 432 may include or otherwise exhibit one or more of first audioapertures 442 and second audio apertures 444, so that the fourthequipment 400 may be configured and arranged to convey particular audioinformation to individuals in vicinity of the fourth equipment 400.Further, the first post 428 and the second post 430 may both be rigidlycoupled to the surface 410 of the fourth equipment 400, and the firstpost 428 and the second post 430 may be formed from or of a material ofsufficient strength so as to support the media module 432.

Such an implementation as discussed above in connection with the fourthequipment 400 of FIG. 4 may be beneficial or advantageous in manyrespects. For example, certain features of the fourth equipment 400 maybe selectively chosen based upon particular food service environment,similar to the first equipment 100 discussed above in connection withFIG. 1. Further, independent three-axis adjustment of the first panel402 enabled at least by the articulating arm 418 and the sleeve bushing424 may allow for easy access to food, cleaning of the fourth equipment400, and compliance with any code or regulation, similar to the secondequipment 200 discussed above in connection with FIG. 2. Still further,mounting of the media module 432 to both the end 434 of the first post436 and the end 438 of the second post 430 may more prominently directattention to messages, such as advertisements, to both individuals orcustomers as they view or otherwise access items within a number ofcontainers 446 a-e incorporated within the surface 410, and also toindividuals or customers within a general vicinity of the fourthequipment 400. Still other benefits or advantages are possible.

Still other food service equipment may be constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure. For example, referring now toFIG. 5, a fifth example serving equipment 500 is shown. The fifthequipment 500 may at least be similar to the second equipment 200 ofFIG. 2 in many aspects. For example, a frame 502 of the fifth equipment500 may include a first post 504 and a second post 506 connectedtogether by a beam 508. The fifth equipment 500 may further include afirst panel 510 and a second panel 512, where the first panel 310 isadjustably coupled to a support assembly 514, while the second panel 512is rigidly coupled to the support assembly 514. The support assembly 514may be formed of a first support 516 rigidly coupled to a surface 518 byfirst support ends 520 a-b, and a second support 522 rigidly to thesurface 518 by second support ends 524 a-b. The second panel 512 may berigidly coupled to the support assembly 514, while first panel 510 maybe adjustably coupled to the support assembly 514 so as to provide forthree-way or three-axis adjustment of the first panel 510. Independentthree-axis adjustment of the first panel 510 may be enabled by anarticulating arm 526 that includes a first pivot 528 and a second pivot530, where the articulating arm 526 is coupled to a sleeve bushing 532by the first pivot 528.

The fifth equipment 500 may further include one or more aspects of amedia module similar to the media module 210 of FIG. 2. Some mediamodule aspects as depicted in FIG. 5 are though different than aspectsof the media module 210 of FIG. 2.

For example, a media module 534 may be mounted to the surface 518 andmay include one or more displays 536 a-e, similar to the displays 212a-e of FIG. 2, incorporated or integrated on or within the media module534 on a first face 538, so that the fifth equipment 500 may beconfigured and arranged to convey particular visual information toindividuals in vicinity of the fifth equipment 500. Further, althoughnot shown in FIG. 5, the media module 534 may include one or moreadditional displays incorporated or integrated on or within the mediamodule 534 on a second face 540 opposite of the first face 538.Additionally, or alternatively, one or more speakers may be incorporatedwithin the fifth equipment 500. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, thefirst post 504 and the second post 506 of the frame 502 may include orotherwise exhibit, respectively, first audio apertures 542 and secondaudio apertures 544, so that the fifth equipment 500 may be configuredand arranged to convey particular audio information to individuals invicinity of the fifth equipment 500.

Such an implementation as discussed above in connection with the fifthequipment 500 of FIG. 5 may be beneficial or advantageous in manyrespects. For example, certain features of the fifth equipment 500 maybe selectively chosen based upon particular food service environment,similar to the first equipment 100 discussed above in connection withFIG. 1. Further, independent three-axis adjustment of the first panel510 enabled at least by the articulating arm 526 and the sleeve bushing532 may allow for easy access to food, cleaning of fifth equipment 500,and compliance with any code or regulation, similar to the secondequipment 200 discussed above in connection with FIG. 2. Still further,mounting of the media module 534 to the surface 518 of the fifthequipment 500 may more effectively direct attention to messages, such asadvertisements, to individuals or customers as they view or otherwiseaccess items within a number of containers 546 a-e incorporated withinthe surface 518. Still other benefits or advantages are possible.

Still other food service equipment may be constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure. For example, referring now toFIG. 6, a sixth example serving equipment 600 is shown. The sixthequipment 600 may be similar to at least the fifth equipment 500 of FIG.5 in many aspects. For example, the sixth equipment 600 may include afirst panel 602 and a second panel 604, where the first panel 602 isadjustably coupled to a support assembly 606, while the second panel 604is rigidly coupled to the support assembly 606. The support assembly 606may be formed of a first support 608 rigidly coupled to a surface 610 bya first support end 612, and a second support 614 rigidly to the surface610 by second support ends 616 a-b. The first panel 602 may beadjustably coupled to the support assembly 606 so as to provide forthree-way or three-axis adjustment of the first panel 602. Independentthree-axis adjustment of the first panel 602 may be enabled by anarticulating arm 618 that includes a first pivot 620 and a second pivot622, where the articulating arm 618 is coupled to a sleeve bushing 624by the first pivot 620.

The sixth equipment 600 may further include one or more aspects of amedia module similar to the media module 534 of FIG. 5. Some mediamodule aspects as depicted in FIG. 6 are different than aspects of themedia module 534 of FIG. 5. For example, a media module 626 may bemounted to a post 628 that is coupled to the second support 614, and mayinclude at least one display 630, similar to the displays 536 a-e ofFIG. 5, incorporated or integrated on or within the media module 626 sothat the sixth equipment 600 may be configured and arranged to conveyparticular visual information to individuals in the vicinity of thesixth equipment 600. Further, although not shown in FIG. 6, one or morespeakers may be incorporated within the sixth equipment 600 in a mannersimilar to that described above so that the sixth equipment 600 may beconfigured and arranged to convey particular audio information toindividuals in vicinity of the sixth equipment 600.

Such an implementation as discussed above in connection with the sixthequipment 600 of FIG. 6 may be beneficial or advantageous in manyrespects. For example, certain features of the sixth equipment 600 maybe selectively chosen based upon the particular food serviceenvironment, similar to the first equipment 100 discussed above inconnection with FIG. 1. Further, independent three-axis adjustment ofthe first panel 602 may allow for easy access to food, cleaning of thesixth equipment 600, and compliance with any code or regulation, similarto the second equipment 200 discussed above in connection with FIG. 2.Still further, mounting of the media module 626 to the post 628 of thesixth equipment 600 may more effectively direct attention to messages,such as advertisements or information or warnings on the food beingdisplayed (such as highly allergic foods, such as peanuts), toindividuals or customers who are not expressly viewing or otherwiseaccessing items provided by or on the sixth equipment 600. Still otherbenefits or advantages are possible.

Still other food service equipment may be constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure. For example, referring now toFIG. 7, a seventh example serving equipment 700 is shown. The seventhequipment 700 may be similar to at least the first equipment 100 of FIG.1 in many aspects. For example, a frame 702 of the seventh equipment 700may include a first post 704 and a second post 706 connected together bya beam 708. Additionally, the media module 710 may be coupled to theframe 702, and may be configured and arranged to convey particularinformation to customers or individuals in vicinity of the seventhequipment 700.

For example, the media module 710 may include one or more displays 712a-e, similar to the displays 122 a-e of FIG. 1, so that the seventhequipment 700 may be configured and arranged to convey particular visualinformation to individuals in vicinity of the seventh equipment 700.Additionally, or alternatively, one or more speakers may be incorporatedwithin the media module 710. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the mediamodule 710 may include or otherwise exhibit one or more of first audioapertures 714 and second audio apertures 716, so that the seventhequipment 700 may be configured and arranged to convey particular audioinformation to individuals in vicinity of the seventh equipment 700.Further, the first post 704 and the second post 706 may both be rigidlycoupled to a surface 718 of the seventh equipment 700, and the firstpost 704, the second post 706, and the beam 708 may be formed from or ofa material of sufficient strength so as to support the media module 710.The seventh equipment 700 may further include a panel 720. In FIG. 7however, in comparison to FIG. 1 for example, the panel 720 is rigidlycoupled to the frame 702 at the first post 704 and the second post 706.

Such an implementation as discussed above in connection with the seventhequipment 700 of FIG. 7 may be beneficial or advantageous in manyrespects. For example, certain features of the seventh equipment 700 maybe selectively chosen based upon particular food service environment,similar to first equipment 100 discussed above in connection withFIG. 1. Further, arrangement of the panel 720 as shown in FIG. 7 mayprovide for increased protection, in comparison to the first panel 102and the second panel 104 of FIG. 1, of food or other items within anumber of containers 722 a-e incorporated within the surface 718 fromdebris or other contamination that may be deposited as individuals visitthe seventh equipment 700. Still other benefits or advantages arepossible.

Still other food service equipment may be constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure. For example, referring now toFIG. 8, an eighth example serving equipment 800 is shown. The eighthequipment 800 may be similar to at least the fifth equipment 500 of FIG.5 in many aspects. For example, the media module 534 as discussed abovein connection with FIG. 5 may be mounted to a surface 802 of the eighthequipment 800. Further, the eighth equipment 800 may include a panel804. In FIG. 8 however, in comparison to FIG. 5 for example, the panel804 is a case-like structure that may be positioned over and at leastpartially enclose the media module 534 and a number of containers 806a-e incorporated within the surface 802.

Such an implementation as discussed above in connection with the eighthequipment 800 of FIG. 8 may be beneficial or advantageous in manyrespects. For example, certain features of the eighth equipment 800 maybe selectively chosen based upon particular food service environment,similar to the first equipment 100 discussed above in connection withFIG. 1. Further, arrangement of the panel 804 as shown in FIG. 8 mayprovide for increased protection, in comparison to the first panel 102and the second panel 104 of FIG. 1, of food or other items within anumber of containers 806 a-e incorporated within the surface 802 fromdebris or other contamination that may be deposited as individuals visitthe eighth equipment 800. For example, the panel 804 may at leastprotect food or other items within the containers 806 a-e from debris orother contamination that may be deposited by individuals as they pass byon a first side 808 of the eighth equipment 800, and also allow accessto items within the containers 806 a-e from a second side 810 oppositethe first side 808. Still other benefits or advantages are possible.

Still other food service equipment may be constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure. For example, referring now toFIG. 9, an ninth example serving equipment 900 is shown. In particular,FIG. 9 shows multiple instances of the ninth equipment 900 adjacentlyarranged. It is contemplated that multiple instances of any of theserving equipment of the present disclosure may be adjacently arrangedsimilar to that of the ninth equipment 900 as shown in FIG. 9, and thatsuch an implementation may be applicable to many different food serviceenvironments.

The ninth equipment 900 may be similar to at least the second equipment200 of FIG. 2 in many aspects. For example, a frame 902 of the ninthequipment 900 may include a first post 904 and a second post 906connected together by a beam 908. Additionally, a media module 910 maybe coupled to the frame 902, and may be configured and arranged toconvey particular information to customers or individuals in vicinity ofthe ninth equipment 900. For example, the media module 910 may includeone or more displays 912 a-e, similar to displays 212 a-e of FIG. 2, sothat the ninth equipment 900 may be configured and arranged to conveyparticular visual information to individuals in vicinity of the ninthequipment 900. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more speakers maybe incorporated within the media module 910. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 9, the media module 910 may include or otherwise exhibit one ormore of first audio apertures 914 and second audio apertures 916, sothat the ninth equipment 900 may be configured and arranged to conveyparticular audio information to individuals in vicinity of the ninthequipment 900. Further, the first post 904 and the second post 906 mayboth be rigidly coupled to a surface 918 of the ninth equipment 900, andthe first post 904, the second post 906, and the beam 908 may be formedfrom or of a material of sufficient strength so as to support the mediamodule 910.

The ninth equipment 900 may further include first panel 920 and a secondpanel 821. In FIG. 9 however, in comparison to FIG. 2 for example, thefirst panel 920 is adjustably coupled to a first support 922 that isrigidly coupled to the first post 904, and a second support 924 that isrigidly coupled to the second post 906. The first panel 920 may beadjustably coupled to the first support 922 and the second support 924so as to provide for three-way or three-axis adjustment of the firstpanel 920. In general, independent three-axis adjustment of the firstpanel 920 may be enabled by an articulating arm 930 that includes afirst pivot 932 and a second pivot 934, where the articulating arm 930is coupled to a sleeve bushing 936 by the first pivot 932. However, inthe example shown, the first panel 920 of both instances of the ninthequipment 900 may be adjusted in the z-direction to a similar positionbecause the first panel 920 of both instances of the ninth equipment 900are connected to the same sleeve bushing 936 a. Other embodiments arepossible. For example, while FIG. 9 shows multiple instances of theninth equipment 900 adjacently arranged and connected together, it iscontemplated that one or more particular instances of different types ofserving equipment consistent with the present disclosure may also beadjacently arranged in a disconnected configuration. For example, FIG.10 shows the serving equipment of FIG. 4 and FIG. 9 adjacently arrangedin a disconnected configuration. Still other embodiments are possible aswell.

Referring now to FIG. 11, aspects of the first equipment 100 of FIG. 1are shown in further detail. In particular, the surface 120 of the firstequipment 100 is shown coupled to a cabinet 1102, and one or morecontrollers 1104 a-e are shown mounted to an internal compartment 1106of the cabinet 1102. As discussed further below, the one or morecontrollers 1104 a-e may enable the first equipment 100 to conveyparticular information to customers or individuals in a food serviceenvironment. It is contemplated though that the following description isalso applicable to at least the food service equipment described abovein connection with FIGS. 2-10.

In an aspect, any of one or more of the controllers 1104 a-e may beconfigured and arranged to generate at least one video signal so thatparticular visual information may be output by any particular one of thedisplays 122 a-e of the first equipment 100. For example, the controller1104 a may be configured and arranged to generate at least one videosignal that may be transmitted via one of a hardwired connection 1108and a wireless connection 1110 to the display 122 a, so that an image ora video may be output by the display 122 a. Similarly, the controllers1104 b-e may be configured and arranged to generate at least one videosignal that may be transmitted via one of a hardwired connection 1108and a wireless connection 1110 to a corresponding one of displays 122b-e, so that a particular image or a video may be output by the displays122 b-e. In these examples, each one of the displays 122 a-e isassociated with a dedicated one of the controllers 1104 a-e. Otherembodiments are however possible. In general, it is contemplated thatany particular image or a video as desired may be output for display byany particular one of the displays 122 a-e. For example, variousinformation associated with food positioned in container 108 a may beoutput for display by display 122 a, various information associated withfood positioned in container 108 b may be output for display by display122 b, and etc. However, many other embodiments are possible asdiscussed throughout.

In another aspect, any of one or more of the controllers 1104 a-e may beconfigured and arranged to generate at least one audio signal so thatparticular audio information may be output via any particular one of thefirst audio apertures 124 and the second audio apertures 126 of thefirst equipment 100. For example, the controller 1104 a may beconfigured and arranged to generate at least one audio signal that maybe transmitted via one of a hardwired connection 1108 and a wirelessconnection 1110 to a particular speaker (not shown) integrated with thefirst equipment 100, so that particular audio may be output via firstaudio apertures 124. Similarly, one or more of the controllers 1104 b-emay be configured and arranged to generate at least one audio signalthat may be transmitted via one of a hardwired connection 1108 and awireless connection 1110 to another particular speaker(s) integratedwith the first equipment 100, so that particular audio may be output viasecond audio apertures 126. In these examples, any of particular one ofthe controllers 1104 a-e may generally be associated with a particularspeaker so that particular audio may be output via the first audioapertures 124 and second audio apertures 126 as desired. Otherembodiments are however possible.

It is contemplated that the underlying technology of any particular oneof the controllers 1104 a-e may be selected as desired. For example, anyparticular one or all of controllers 1104 a-e may correspond to adigital media player. In general, a digital media player may comprise ofa device that is capable of storing and playing digital media such asaudio, images, video, documents, and etc. However, selection of theunderlying technology of any particular one of the controllers 1104 a-emay change, or perhaps one or more of the controllers 1104 a-e beomitted, as technology evolves. For example, in some embodiments,functionality implemented by the controllers 1104 a-e may beincorporated or integrated into or with the displays 122 a-e or speakersof the first equipment 100. In such an implementation, the controllers1104 a-e may be omitted from the first equipment 100. Still otherembodiments are possible. For example, any of the serving equipment ofthe present disclosure may be equipped to include a liquid crystaldisplay with integrated media player and wireless local area network(e.g., WiFi) capability, transparent projection screen system (e.g., “onpanel”) capability, multi-output media player (e.g., a single box withmultiple video outputs) capability, and etc. Still many otherembodiments are possible.

For example, it is contemplated that a motion sensor may be incorporatedwithin or on any of the serving equipment of the present disclosure,and/or one or more features or elements of any of the serving equipmentof the present disclosure (e.g., within or on a liquid crystal display),that may be utilized to switch “on” one or more of an audio and videodisplay when someone approaches the serving equipment and switch “off”one or more of an audio and video display following a “time-out” whennobody is around. It is also contemplated that a projection system maybe used to project images directly on a panel of a serving equipment.Still other embodiments are possible.

In some embodiments, the controllers 1104 a-e may be programmable sothat first equipment 100 may be selectively configured to convey any ofa variety of particular information to customers or individuals in afood service environment. Among other things, such an implementation mayenable a number of levels of monetization. For example, referring now toFIG. 12, a networked environment 1200 is shown in accordance with thepresent disclosure. In this example, the networked environment 1200 mayinclude a media player 1202, an output device 1204, a computing device1206, a server device 1208, a storage device 1210, and a network 1212.Other embodiments are possible. For example, the networked environment1200 may generally include more or fewer devices, networks, and othercomponents as desired.

The media player 1202 may, for example, correspond to one of thecontrollers 1104 a-e of FIG. 11, and the output device 1204 may, forexample, correspond to one of the displays 122 a-e incorporated withinthe first equipment 100 of FIG. 11. Other embodiments are possible. Forexample, in some embodiments, the output device 1204 may correspond to aparticular speaker incorporated within the first equipment 100 of FIG.11. Still other embodiments are possible.

The computing device 1206 and the server device 1208 may be configuredas special-purpose computing devices. In particular, the server device1208 may be configured as a business server that implements businessprocesses, and the computing device 1206 may be a programmable machineconfigured to enable a user to access and/or implement functionality ofthe server device 1208. For example, the server device 1208 may host aweb service or web site that may permit a user to define a media package1216 via a user interface 1214 of the computing device 1206. Further,the server device 1208 may be configured to transfer the media package1216 from the computing device 1206 to one or both of the media player1202 and the output device 1204, so that the media player 1202 mayenable a particular serving equipment (e.g., first equipment 100) toconvey particular information to customers or individuals in a foodservice environment.

For example, referring now additionally to FIG. 13, an example method1300 is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular,at step 1302, a user may interact with the user interface 1214 tosubscribe to a particular service implemented by the server device 1208that allows a user to define the media package 1216. Such a feature maycorrespond to a first level of monetization, where a third party mayenable an owner or operator of the first equipment 100 to select anynumber of various different types of media content to define the mediapackage 1216. For example, at step 1304, a user may interact with theuser interface 1214 to select any number of various different types ofparticular media or media content to define or create the media package1216.

In general, the particular media or media content of the media package1216 may refer to any type of one or more of audio content, videocontent, and image content that may be desired by an owner or operatorof the first equipment 100 to convey to customers or individuals in afood service environment. For example, particular media or media contentmay include any one or more of audio content, video content, and imagecontent associated with any type of broadcast media, such as news andweather. As another example, particular media or media content mayinclude any one or more of audio content, video content, and imagecontent associated with any type of advertising media, such as anadvertisement of particular merchandise associated with or offered bythe first equipment 100, and/or other items generally unassociated withthe first equipment 100. As another example, particular media or mediacontent may include any one or more of audio content, video content, andimage content associated any type of social media, such as content abouta certain “trend” or “trending” social topic. However, it iscontemplated that many other types of forms of particular media or mediacontent are possible.

In some embodiments, at step 1306, an owner or operator of the firstequipment 100 may receive compensation at least for each instance ofadvertising media selected for inclusion within the media package 1216,as created at step 1304. Such a feature may correspond to a second levelof monetization, where an owner or operator of the first equipment 100may offset cost associated with creation and use of the media package1216. Next, at step 1308, following creation of the media package 1216and possibly receipt of compensation for each instance of advertisingcontent selected for inclusion within the media package 1216, a user mayinteract with the user interface 1214 to deploy the media package 1216to one or both of the media player 1202 and the output device 1204, sothat the media player 1202 may enable a particular serving equipment(e.g., first equipment 100) to convey particular information tocustomers or individuals in a food service environment. Otherembodiments are possible.

FIG. 14 shows an example computer system or device 1400 in accordancewith the present disclosure. An example of a computer system or deviceincludes an enterprise server, blade server, desktop computer, laptopcomputer, tablet computer, personal data assistant, smartphone, digitalmedia player, and/or any other type of machine configured for performingcalculations. The computer system 1400 may be wholly or at leastpartially incorporated as part of previously-described computingdevices, such as the visual and/or audio devices as described above. Theexample computer device 1400 may be configured to perform and/or includeinstructions that, when executed, cause the computer system 1400 toperform one or more of the steps, operations, module, etc., of theexample method 1300 of FIG. 13.

The computer device 1400 is shown comprising hardware elements that maybe electrically coupled via bus 1402, or may otherwise be incommunication by a hardwired and/or wireless connection as appropriate.The hardware elements may include a processing unit with at least oneprocessor 1404 that may include without limitation one or moregeneral-purpose processors and/or one or more special-purpose processors(such as digital signal processing chips, graphics accelerationprocessors, and/or the like); one or more input devices 1406, which caninclude without limitation a remote control, a mouse, a keyboard, and/orthe like; and one or more output devices 1408, which can include withoutlimitation a presentation device (e.g., television), a printer, and/orthe like.

The computer system 1400 may further include and/or be in communicationwith at least one non-transitory storage device 1410, which maycomprise, without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage,and/or can include, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, anoptical storage device, a solid-state storage device, such as a randomaccess memory, and/or a read-only memory, which can be programmable,flash-updateable, and/or the like. Such storage devices may beconfigured to implement any appropriate data stores, including withoutlimitation, various file systems, database structures, and/or the like.

The computer device 1400 might also include a communications subsystem1412, which can include without limitation a modem, a network card(wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, a wirelesscommunication device, and/or a chipset (such as a Bluetooth™ device, aWiFi device, a WiMax device, cellular communication facilities (e.g.,GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc.), and/or the like. The communications subsystem1412 may permit data to be exchanged with a network (such as the networkdescribed below, to name one example), other computer systems, and/orany other devices described herein. In many embodiments, the computersystem 1400 will further comprise a working memory 1414, which mayinclude a random access memory and/or a read-only memory device, asdescribed above.

The computer device 1400 also can comprise software elements, shown asbeing currently located within the working memory 1414, including anoperating system 1416, device drivers, executable libraries, and/orother code, such as one or more application programs 1418, which maycomprise computer programs provided by various embodiments, and/or maybe designed to implement methods, and/or configure systems, provided byother embodiments, as described herein. By way of example, one or moreprocedures described with respect to the method(s) discussed above,and/or system components might be implemented as code and/orinstructions executable by a computer (and/or a processor within acomputer); in an aspect, then, such code and/or instructions can be usedto configure and/or adapt a general purpose computer (or other device)to perform one or more operations in accordance with the describedmethods.

A set of these instructions and/or code might be stored on anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as the storagedevice(s) 1410 described above. In some cases, the storage medium mightbe incorporated within a computer system, such as computer system 1400.In other embodiments, the storage medium might be separate from acomputer system (e.g., a removable medium, such as flash memory), and/orprovided in an installation package, such that the storage medium can beused to program, configure, and/or adapt a general purpose computer withthe instructions/code stored thereon. These instructions might take theform of executable code, which is executable by the computer device 1400and/or might take the form of source and/or installable code, which,upon compilation and/or installation on the computer system 1400 (e.g.,using any of a variety of generally available compilers, installationprograms, compression/decompression utilities, etc.), then takes theform of executable code.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantialvariations may be made in accordance with specific requirements. Forexample, customized hardware might also be used, and/or particularelements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portablesoftware, such as applets, etc.), or both. Further, connection to othercomputing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed.

As mentioned above, in one aspect, some embodiments may employ acomputer system (such as the computer device 1400) to perform methods inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention. According to a setof embodiments, some or all of the procedures of such methods areperformed by the computer system 1400 in response to processor 1404executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions (which mightbe incorporated into the operating system 1416 and/or other code, suchas an application program 1418) contained in the working memory 1414.Such instructions may be read into the working memory 1414 from anothercomputer-readable medium, such as one or more of the storage device(s)1410. Merely by way of example, execution of the sequences ofinstructions contained in the working memory 1414 may cause theprocessor(s) 1404 to perform one or more procedures of the methodsdescribed herein.

The terms “machine-readable medium” and “computer-readable medium,” asused within the present disclosure, may refer to any non-transitorymedium that participates in providing data that causes a machine tooperate in a specific fashion. In an embodiment implemented using thecomputer device 1400, various computer-readable media might be involvedin providing instructions/code to processor(s) 1404 for execution and/ormight be used to store and/or carry such instructions/code. In manyimplementations, a computer-readable medium is a physical and/ortangible storage medium. Such a medium may take the form of anon-volatile media or volatile media. Non-volatile media may include,for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as the storagedevice(s) 1410. Volatile media may include, without limitation, dynamicmemory, such as the working memory 1414.

Example forms of physical and/or tangible computer-readable media mayinclude a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or anyother magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, a RAM, aPROM, EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or anyother medium from which a computer can read instructions and/or code.

Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor(s) 1404for execution. By way of example, the instructions may initially becarried on a magnetic disk and/or optical disc of a remote computer. Aremote computer might load the instructions into its dynamic memory andsend the instructions as signals over a transmission medium to bereceived and/or executed by the computer system 1400.

The communications subsystem 1412 (and/or components thereof) generallywill receive signals, and the bus 1402 then might carry the signals(and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the signals) to theworking memory 1414, from which the processor(s) 1404 retrieves andexecutes the instructions. The instructions received by the workingmemory 1414 may optionally be stored on a non-transitory storage device1410 either before or after execution by the processor(s) 1404.

The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Variousconfigurations may omit, substitute, or add various method steps orprocedures, or system components as appropriate. For instance, inalternative configurations, the methods may be performed in an orderdifferent from that described, and/or various stages may be added,omitted, and/or combined. Also, features described with respect tocertain configurations may be combined in various other configurations.Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined ina similar manner. Also, technology evolves and, thus, many of theelements are examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure orclaims.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thoroughunderstanding of example configurations and including implementations.However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details.For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, andtechniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoidobscuring the configurations. This description provides exampleconfigurations only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, orconfigurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of theconfigurations will provide those skilled in the art with an enablingdescription for implementing described techniques. Various changes maybe made in the function and arrangement of elements without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

Also, configurations may be described as a process which is depicted asa flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may describe theoperations as a sequential process, many of the operations can beperformed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of theoperations may be rearranged. A process may have additional steps notincluded in the figure. Furthermore, examples of the methods may beimplemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode,hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. Whenimplemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the programcode or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage medium.Processors may perform the described tasks.

Furthermore, the example embodiments described herein may be implementedas logical operations in a computing device in a networked computingsystem environment. The logical operations may be implemented as: (i) asequence of computer implemented instructions, steps, or program modulesrunning on a computing device; and (ii) interconnected logic or hardwaremodules running within a computing device.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A food service equipment configured to displayand protect previously-prepared food items, the food service equipmentcomprising: a hygienic shield system including a frame that is coupledto a serving surface of the food service equipment, and at least oneclear panel that is coupled to the frame; at least one media device thatis incorporated within and operably coupled with the food serviceequipment, the media device configured to playback one of audio andvideo of at least one media file to one or more customers in a foodservice environment as the one or more customers observe, are served, orserve themselves previously-prepared items from the food serviceequipment; and at least one controller configured to select the one ofaudio and video of the media file for playback by the media device. 2.The equipment of claim 1, wherein the media device comprises a displayscreen to output video of the media file.
 3. The equipment of claim 1,wherein the media device comprises a speaker to output audio of themedia file.
 4. The equipment of claim 1, wherein the media device ismounted to the frame of the hygienic shield system.
 5. The equipment ofclaim 1, wherein the clear panel is rigidly coupled to the frame.
 6. Theequipment of claim 1, further comprising a cabinet, wherein the servingsurface is mounted to the cabinet, and the controller is mounted to aninternal surface of the cabinet.
 7. The equipment of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one food tray that is mounted to the servingsurface.
 8. The equipment of claim 1, wherein the media device isintegrated within the panel of the hygienic shield system.
 9. Theequipment of claim 1, wherein the media device is integrated within theserving surface of the food service equipment.
 10. The equipment ofclaim 1, wherein the media device is mounted to the serving surface ofthe food service equipment.
 11. The equipment of claim 1, wherein theclear panel is adjustably coupled to the frame.
 12. The equipment ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one beverage dispenser that ismounted to the serving surface.
 13. A food service equipment configuredto display and protect previously-prepared food items, the food serviceequipment comprising: a cabinet assembly including an internalcompartment and a countertop; a sneeze guard including at least one postcoupled to the countertop, and at least one panel coupled to the atleast one post; at least one media device that is incorporated withinand operably coupled with the food service equipment, the media deviceconfigured to playback one of audio and video of at least one media fileto one or more customers in a food service environment as the one ormore customers observe, are served, or serve themselvespreviously-prepared items from the food service equipment; and at leastone media player to select the one of audio and video of at least onemedia file for playback by the media device, wherein the at least onemedia player is mounted to the internal compartment and communicativelycoupled to the at least one media device.
 14. The equipment of claim 13,further comprising at least one food tray that is mounted to thecountertop.
 15. The equipment of claim 13, further comprising at leastone beverage dispenser that is mounted to the countertop.